Unofficial Results: David Moore II edges incumbent Ron Draayer by four votes in Kentwood City Commission Ward 2 race; incumbent Maurice Groce keeps At-Large seat

Incumbent Maurice Groce holds onto Kentwood City Commission At-Large seat. (WKTV)

By Cris Greer

WKTV Managing Editor

Incumbent Maurice H. Groce held onto his Kentwood City Commission At-Large seat, holding off candidate Lily Cheng-Schulting, while David Moore II defeated incumbent Ron Draayer for a Ward 2 Commission seat in unofficial results from the Nov. 7 general election.

Groce received 3,194 votes (50.20%), while Cheng-Schulting tallied 3,154 (49.58%). There were 14 write-in votes. Turnout was 16.3% for the At-Large seat. Moore II received 1,581 votes (49.83%), while Draayer had 1,577 (49.70%). There were 15 write-ins. Turnout was 18.78% for the Ward 2 seat.

David Moore II edged incumbent Ron Draayer for a Kentwood City Commission Ward 2 seat in unofficial results. (WKTV)

Seven ballots and certification in the balance

Chief Deputy Kent County Clerk Robert Macomber said all results are currently unofficial until the completion of the County Canvass when results will be certified and deemed official.

“Additionally, a few things have changed due to the implementation of Proposal 2022-2. The first being that any absentee ballots that come back from military or overseas voters (MOVE) within six days after the election are valid to be counted as long as they are postmarked by election day,” Macomber continued. “We know of three outstanding MOVE ballots in Ward 2 that could be en route.

“Secondly, there are four absentee ballots in Kentwood Ward 2 that were returned by voters that have an issue with their signature (either missing or not matching). Those voters have been notified and they have three days after the election – until Friday – to rectify their signatures and have their ballots accepted and counted. This is also a new change.”

Macomber went on to say that once the canvassing is complete, which can take up to 14 days, but is usually shorter in these odd year elections, the results will be certified and those will be the official election results. The canvass is where any outstanding ballots turned in from MOVE voters or signature cures will be counted.

Incumbent Ron Draayer loses Ward 2 seat by four votes in unofficial results. (WKTV)

Draayer has six days after certification to petition for recount

“We do not have automatic recounts in Michigan, regardless of the vote margin,” Macomber explained. “Any candidate who believes they are aggrieved may petition for a recount. They have six days after the election is certified to do so. The cost of the recount is calculated based on the margin, and a deposit is collected from the petitioning candidate. If the outcome changes, the deposit is refunded.”